Late Touchdowns, Walk-Off Kick Shake Up SWAC Football Races in Week 8

A late touchdown in Daytona Beach and a last-second field goal in Houston turned two close Southwestern Athletic Conference games into victories Saturday, reshaping division races as the football season moves toward its final stretch.

Bethune-Cookman defeated Jackson State 24-21 to pull into a tie for first place in the SWAC East, while Texas Southern rallied past Southern 24-21 on a 46-yard field goal as time expired. Arkansas-Pine Bluff also won a three-point conference game, beating Florida A&M 31-28, and Prairie View A&M earned a 30-19 nonconference victory over East Texas A&M.

Bethune-Cookman 24, Jackson State 21

Bethune-Cookman quarterback Tyler Jefferson found Rickie Shaw II in the end zone with 34 seconds remaining, lifting the Wildcats over Jackson State in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The Wildcats built a 14-0 first-quarter lead behind Jefferson’s 21-yard touchdown pass to Josh Evans and Rashon Brown’s 33-yard scoring run. Jackson State fought back, but a 49-yard field goal attempt went wide left as time expired.

The victory moved Bethune-Cookman to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in conference play, matching Alabama A&M’s SWAC record atop the East. Jackson State fell to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the conference.

Texas Southern 24, Southern 21

Southern erased a 14-point deficit in the second half, but Texas Southern freshman kicker Miguel Arana made a 46-yard field goal as time expired to send the Jaguars home with a 24-21 loss.

Playing before a homecoming crowd of 21,523 in Houston, Texas Southern scored 21 unanswered points to turn a 7-0 deficit into a 21-7 lead. Southern quarterback Christian Johnson connected with Wydell Clark Jr. for a third-quarter touchdown, and Trey Holly’s 2-yard scoring run tied the game with 4:24 remaining.

Holly finished with 156 rushing yards on 35 carries. Texas Southern’s Athean Renfro Jr. ran for 135 yards and a touchdown, while quarterback Cam’Ron McCoy added 71 rushing yards and a score.

The victory ended a five-game losing streak for Texas Southern, which improved to 2-5 overall and 1-3 in the SWAC. Southern dropped to 3-5 overall and 1-3 in conference play.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff 31, Florida A&M 28

Arkansas-Pine Bluff spoiled Florida A&M’s homecoming in Tallahassee, Florida, using a productive ground game to claim a 31-28 victory.

The Golden Lions rushed for 211 yards and three touchdowns, led by Jalen Williams with 66 yards and a score. Za’Marion Webber added 60 yards and a touchdown, while Demetric Whitlock Jr. caught four passes for 74 yards and a score.

On defense, Tylan Cole recorded five tackles, including three for loss and two sacks. Arkansas-Pine Bluff held Florida A&M to 75 rushing yards, although the Rattlers finished with a 394-351 advantage in total offense.

The loss ended Florida A&M’s seven-game homecoming winning streak. Arkansas-Pine Bluff improved to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the SWAC; Florida A&M fell to 2-6 and 1-3.

Prairie View A&M 30, East Texas A&M 19

Prairie View A&M scored 24 consecutive points after falling behind 6-0, then held off an East Texas A&M rally to win 30-19 in Commerce, Texas.

Chase Bingmon scored on a 2-yard run, and Tevin Carter threw two touchdown passes to Rodny Ojo as the Panthers built a 24-6 lead. East Texas A&M answered with two fourth-quarter touchdowns, but Bingmon broke free for a 52-yard scoring run to put the game away.

Prairie View improved to 4-5 overall with its second consecutive victory. Because the game was a nonconference matchup, the Panthers’ SWAC record remained 3-2, good for first place in the West standings.

Week 8 final scores

• Bethune-Cookman 24, Jackson State 21
• Texas Southern 24, Southern 21
• Arkansas-Pine Bluff 31, Florida A&M 28
• Prairie View A&M 30, East Texas A&M 19

Alabama State, Alabama A&M, Alcorn State, Grambling State and Mississippi Valley State had bye weeks. swac.org